From Exhaustion to Ease: How Black Women Can Reclaim Rest and Joy (REPLAY)

In this deeply resonant episode of Black Girl Burnout, Kelley is joined by licensed clinical social worker and burnout recovery coach Michelle Goodloe for an honest conversation about what it truly takes to move from chronic exhaustion into a life rooted in rest and joy.

Together, they unpack the realities of professional burnout, the hidden cost of “pushing through,” and the cultural pressures Black women face to perform strength at the expense of well-being. Michelle shares her own journey from burnout to balance, offers a compassionate definition of burnout, and explains why recovery is about more than quick self-care fixes—it’s about rebuilding your relationship with yourself over time.

If you’ve been feeling depleted, disconnected, or like you’ve been running on empty for too long, this conversation offers both validation and practical ways to start your shift toward ease.

Key Takeaways

• Burnout isn’t just a bad week—it’s a long-term pattern of exhaustion, disconnection, and feeling ineffective.
• Recovery requires redefining your identity outside of work and accomplishments.
• Systemic factors like capitalism fatigue and the “Strong Black Woman” stereotype amplify burnout for Black women.
• Self-care is important, but deep recovery work starts with boundaries, self-compassion, and mindset shifts.
• Your “well-rested self” is a touchstone for what’s possible—and worth protecting.

Episode Highlights

[00:40] Michelle shares her personal journey through burnout and why she now helps others recover.

[04:16] Recognizing burnout: symptoms, time factors, and the difference from temporary stress.

[08:46] The role of systemic pressures—capitalism fatigue, cultural expectations, and identity-based stressors.

[10:30] The connection between self-betrayal, boundary erosion, and burnout.

[12:02] Imagining your “well-rested self” as a guide to healing.

[14:15] Why burnout recovery is ongoing work, not a quick reset.

Connect with Michelle Goodloe

Website: https://www.gmichelle.com/

Instagram: @thegmichelle

Support the Show

If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might need the reminder that they don’t have to push through exhaustion to prove their worth. You deserve rest.

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